DURHAM, N.C. – The U.S. women’s national team, which features former Blue Devils Sarah Bullard and Megan Huether, is set to begin play at the 2013 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championship with an opening round game against England Thursday, July 11 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The United States will be in pursuit of its seventh World Championship after previously winning the tournament in 1982, 1989, 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2009.

Team USA is one of five teams in Pool A and is slated to play each of the other four teams in a round-robin format. Following pool play, the teams will be seeded into a championship bracket and a consolation bracket, with elimination games beginning Wednesday, July 17. The gold medal game is scheduled for Saturday, July 20 in Oshawa.

The 2013 edition of the FIL World Cup will be the largest to date, with 19 teams competing from four continents. Hong Kong, Israel, Latvia and Sweden will participate in their first FIL women’s event, while Canada will host the women’s World Cup for the first time.

A member of the 2009 U.S. World Cup Championship squad, Bullard was a two-time Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-America selection as a midfielder for the Blue Devils. She was twice named a Tewaaraton Trophy nominee in addition to collecting All-ACC and All-ACC Tournament team recognition. The 2011 Duke graduate continues to rank among the top 20 in program history in goals, points, draw controls, caused turnovers and assists.

Also a member of the 2009 U.S. national team that captured the FIL World Cup in the Czech Republic, Huether was selected the IWLCA/US Lacrosse Goalie of the Year and a first team All-American as a junior at Duke in 2005. She received All-ACC accolades in 2004 and 2005 and remains the Blue Devils’ all-time leader in career saves (646) and wins (60).

“Everyone at Duke Lacrosse is so proud that Meg and Sarah will be representing the United States at the 2013 FIL World Cup,” said Duke head coach Kerstin Kimel. “Both have worked tirelessly in their preparation and are no doubt poised to help their team in any way possible as they begin their journey to win the gold. Our staff and players will be tuned in daily and we hope that our Duke faithful will be following the team and two of our all-time best student-athletes as well.”